Barcelona is one of the Spanish cities that receives the most tourists each year, as well as being one of the most prestigious and visited metropolises in the world. Its architectural beauty, its enormous cultural, gastronomic, and nightlife offers, and its great charm make everyone who travels through Barcelona feel trapped by the beautiful Catalan capital. If you are planning your trip to Barcelona. As good inhabitants of this city, we will explain all the places to see and discover so that you can enjoy your stay to the fullest.
What to see in Barcelona: the Sagrada Familia
There is no doubt that the works of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi are among the main attractions in Barcelona. And you cannot visit the city without going through his most emblematic and monumental work: La Sagrada Familia, the beautiful basilica that Gaudi designed and began to build in 1882 and which was left unfinished after the death of this emblematic Catalan character.
The interesting thing about the Sagrada Familia is that since its construction continues until today, it is difficult for the visitor to find it always the same since the works are progressing slowly and it is possible to see new elements that are being added.
To visit this site, it is advisable to arrive early, especially in summer or on dates with high tourist traffic such as Holy Week, since there are long lines to enter the Sangrada Familia that can become very tedious. It is recommended to pay for the audio guide, which provides interesting information about Gaudi and the construction of the basilica, you must also visit the small museum that is inside. If you are a student, have a youth card, or are retired, you can enjoy discounts on admission.
What to see in Barcelona: Casa Batllo and La Pedrera
Continuing with the works of Gaudi, Casa Batllo, and La Pedrera are two buildings that you cannot miss in Barcelona. Located on Paseo de Gracia, one of the main avenues of the city that brings together wonderful hotels to stay in Barcelona, and a huge number of shops and restaurants, both are the perfect example of the style that characterized Gaudi.
Casa Batllo was built between 1904 and 1906 at the request of the businessman Josep Batllo, today it is a building intended solely for the visit of tourists and the enjoyment of certain events on its spectacular terrace. Its facade stands out not only for its elaborate details but also for its enormous beauty.
For its part, La Pedrera, also known as Casa Mila, is a building commissioned to Gaudi by the Mila family that is now open to tourist visits. It was built between 1906 and 1912 and since 1984 it has been considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the model apartment and the terrace, this space has an active cultural center where many events take place. Visiting its spaces is really worth it if you appreciate Gaudi’s work.
What to see in Barcelona: Park Guell
On the list of what to see in Barcelona, Park Guell is an unmissable point for many. A little further from the city center, this park designed by Gaudi, which was originally intended to be a residential area for the Guell family, is today a highly visited space as it contains emblematic designs by the architect, including the famous Dragon.
The views of Park Guell are a delight for the visitor, who will also be able to access the house that the architect lived in during the development of the project, and walk through this beautiful place conceived as a kind of sanctuary that gradually elevates the visitor. up to the summit, where it was intended to build a chapel but which today only has the Calvary monument.
What to see in Barcelona: promenade
The Barcelona promenade extends from Paseo Colon to the forum area, allowing visitors to walk through emblematic areas such as Barceloneta, the old fishermen’s quarter, or Ciutadella Vila Olimpica, a modern residential area that became thriving after 1992 the city was the headquarters of the Olympics.
On the tour, it is possible to visit beaches such as La Barceloneta, Nova Icaria, Bogatell, or Marbella, ride a bike, skate, walk, enjoy the views of the sea, eat or have a drink in the many restaurants, and “chiringuitos” that you will find in the path. An ideal route for tourists who want to enjoy Barcelona near the sea.
What to see in Barcelona: Gothic Quarter
You cannot visit Barcelona without going through and getting lost (literally) through the streets of the Gothic Quarter, which extends over an important part of the city center with its narrow streets and is full of wonderful historical buildings. Barcelona Cathedral, Plaza Felip Neri, or Plaza del Rey are some of the obligatory stops in the Gothic Quarter.
But the best advice to fully enjoy it is to enter it willing to walk aimlessly and gradually come across all its wonders, eat in any of its hundreds of restaurants, cool off in its many bars, and enjoy the views in its squares. A great way to get to know Barcelona from the inside.
What to see in Barcelona: Montjuic
Among the list of what to see in Barcelona, Montjuic is a must if you want to enjoy the good views of the city and wonderful points of interest. At its top stands the castle of Montjuic, built in 1751 to protect the city from invaders and converted during the Franco dictatorship into a prison and firing squad for the regime. Today it has free access, rising as one of the historical spaces of the city.
Nearby is the Olympic Stadium, the wonderful MNAC museum, the CaixaForum museum, the Botanical Garden and the beautiful Magic Fountain of Montjuic, which from April 30 to September 30 presents impressive light and music shows that are the delight of visitors and locals.
What to see in Barcelona: the Agbar Tower
Barcelona converges between the old and the modern, and the Agbar tower is the perfect proof of this. This building, which, seen from the top, is opposite the Sagrada Familia, has become one of the main attractions for those who visit Barcelona due to the spectacular light effects that characterize it.
This is the Aguas de Barcelona building, designed by Jean Nouvel that was oriented towards Gaudi’s basilica, with shapes that evoke the lines of the architect and those of Montserrat, one of the most important mountains for the inhabitants of the city.
Its night lighting is a delight for visitors and locals alike, so it is recommended that you dedicate a few minutes to it during any of the nights you spend in Barcelona.
The Agbar tower is located on the Diagonal, in an area considered the city’s technological district, which brings together important hotels that are ideal for those who visit Barcelona on business.